On Monday, March 24th, Governor Laura Kelly signed Senate Bill 8, which requires drivers to move over when passing stationary vehicles displaying hazard warning lights. Senate Bill 8 works to protect both drivers of disabled vehicles displaying hazard warning signal lights and other drivers on the road. The bill requires drivers on the road to proceed with caution and change lanes away from the disabled vehicle, if it is possible and safe to do so. According to the Kansas Department of Transportation, 82 crashes happened between 2018 and 2023 with someone in a vehicle while on the side of the road. This bill will improve driver behavior by creating consistency with other move over bills for law informant, first responders and more.
Historically, move-over protections had been limited to emergency personnel. Over time, these protections included road service vehicles, utility, and tow trucks. This year, move-over protections will apply to all highway vehicles.
